THE REVIEW:

1. Buy the Mark iii and use the Mark ii for my second shooter!! It’s a hefty sticker price so if it’s not doable, I’ll definitely be upgrading my second camera body to a Mark ii at least.  I upgraded to the Mark iii this Summer and it was LIFE CHANGING! 

2. Book 16 weddings for 2016 (One is already in the books and I have a few meetings lined up for potential 2016 brides! – I can’t believe we’re planning for 2016 – wait, what?!) I finished out the season with 18 amazing couples!!! I post on social media all the time how amazing all of my LKP clients are but really let’s just take a moment to really thank each and everyone of them for making this business possible. The kind texts, emails, reviews, snail mail, being my “brand cheerleaders” to anyone that will listen to them — just thank you, thank you, thank you!! 

3. Attend/Save $$ to attend a photography or business workshop!! I follow all these amazing women on social media that are involved with these workshops and I’m just dying to see what all the buzz is about! There’s such a strong sense of community among these women that are all trying to make it in this industry and it would be a beautiful thing to be a part of! I have my sights set on The Creative Hearts Conference or The Katelyn James Workshop. Either will do ;) And this clearlywould count as a photography course — so you’re welcome mom! I’m currently enrolled in the Online Academy of Wedding Photographers and it has been such an amazing community of students, teachers, and endless information that has been instrumental in my progress as entrepreneur + photographer. So, thank you to the Academy!! 

4. Learn how to shoot film. The beauty of film always takes my breath away and I would love to someday be able to offer that to my clients! But for now, just a hobby! I WISH I COULD CROSS THIS OFF!! Oh my goodness do I love film. Unfortunately, I never got around to it but look no further than my 2016 goals to see it again ;)

5. Finish up my client packages branding. This will include custom wood keepsake boxes, personalized on top with wood-burned names, made by yours truly! The boxes will be what the wedding USBs are returned in, also with some extra little goodies! I cannot waittttt to give these to my couples!! YES! I love adding this extra touch to my LKP client experience! It’s things like this that I feel is so important to go above and beyond for my business to set me apart from others. 

6. Organize + execute my first Styled Wedding Shoot! This has been on my to-do list for a while and this is the year to make it happen! Setting up scenes and carrying out a creative vision is a passion of mine so this will be soooo much fun! I’ll do all the graphic design elements as well – just need to hunt down a florist willing to donate their talents in exchange for publicity, and hit the resale shops hard for some hidden treasures for the shoot decor! This happened!! And I’m so thankful it did! It was a huge project that you can read about here but it was worth every second of effort because I use the images in all of my branding/marketing materials!! I’m brainstorming ideas for another Spring styled shoot + have hopes to team up with some amazing vendors I formed relationships with over 2015.  So stay turned for that this off-season! 

7. BLOG MORE. Every business owner I admire says the key to growing your business is to BLOG MORE. So what am I waiting for? I do countless crafts and house projects that I really need to start creating posts for…I guess just the whole “photograph each step” and write what you’re doing as you go seems so daunting to me! How do bloggers do that day in and day out? I always think that about the cooking blogs!! Major props to all you cooking bloggers out there! But yes, I do need to blog more and a good solution to that is to blog my DIY lifestyle. Boom. Done. I’ve typed it on here so that means I have to. Lord, help me! YIKES. Shame on you, Lindsey. I totally fell short in this department! Needless to say, it will be on my 2016 goals…2017..2018…until I get it right!! It’s an essential part for growth for LKP so I need to stop sabotaging my company and get on the Blog Train!